HISTORY
What does the future look like?
STEF History
In 2014, Jakrapob Thaotad (Jake), a Thai medical sciences graduate, completed his post-graduate course in London after spending 10 years studying and working in UK. Wishing to return to his native Thailand and to be with his family’s elephants, he joined up with his cousin Sitthisak Songkaew (Lek) who had spent all his life caring for the family’s elephants near the village of Thung Kha Ngok in Phang Nga province. Here they built from scratch an elephant park that was to become one of the leading ethical attractions in Southern Thailand.
The Experts
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The Fight
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The Solutions
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What does the future look like?
But Jake wanted to do much more. With his passion for education and philanthropy, he resolved to bring the elephant to the Thai people and to explain the critical importance of health and welfare. He conceived the idea of creating a totally non-profit-making charity that would address very real needs by providing free veterinary care, and better education and welfare. For more about the History of STEF, see here.
Firstly, he wanted to raise donations to support in particular elderly elephants, many of which face a bleak future. Jake is also a conservationist and firmly believes this sacred animal must be treasured. This led to his passion to support education in Thai schools, for citizens and of course for visitors too. It also means ensuring there is the best possible veterinary care and services readily available to all elephants in the area, and to support centres where elderly and other elephants can be gently and carefully tended for the rest of their lives.
This mission was not easy but gradually Jake was able to recruit Thai and foreign supporters to help him so that he could set up the Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation – Thailand charity. We are supported by our sister organisation that raises funds internationally and is registered by the Charity Commission in England and Wales. Please see here.
